MagheClean

The invention uses maghemite nanoparticles at pH levels below 5 to remove sulphate, manganese, copper, nickel, cobalt, and zinc ions from acid mine drainage (AMD). In traditional AMD treatment methods, these contaminants are usually removed only at higher pH levels, which requires expensive alkaline chemicals. Typically, only iron(III) and aluminium (III) precipitate at low pH. Due to the highly acidic nature of AMD, effective pollutant removal demands precise process optimisation. Compared to conventional methods, adsorption offers a more convenient, cost-effective, and efficient alternative. This invention combines adsorption and precipitation processes to achieve high removal efficiencies across multiple contaminants. The achieved pollutant removal rates were as follows: sulphate (89%), manganese (79%), cobalt and zinc (98%), nickel (96%), and copper (100%). Overall, the method significantly reduces chemical usage while providing a cost-effective solution for AMD remediation, with the added potential for recovering valuable resources from treated effluent.